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A handout picture released by the Jordanian Royal Palace on January 16, 2014 shows King Abdullah II (L) walking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting in Amman on January 16, 2014. [AFP]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprise visit to its neighbor Jordan on Thursday for talks with King Abdullah II. Their expected conversations revolved around the Middle East peace process, palace officials said.

The rare Amman meeting comes as US Secretary of State John Kerry is heavily involved in getting the Palestinians and Israelis to work together on a draft to guide peace talks forward.

The palace statement claimed the meeting would "seek to make sure a progress in the peace talks would meet Palestinian aspirations and at the same time protect Jordanian interests, particularly final status issues at this critical stage."

Kerry left the region last week under a failed attempt to secure a peace agreement following four days of intense meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.